Shmucks on Craiglist- share your stories!

[69bronzeT5]

I deal on Craigslist all the time so I've dealt with my fair share of idiots but this guy gets the "Shmuck of the Year" award. I've had a pair of 1999-2004 Mustang carbon fiber styled tail lights forever now, traded straight across for a set of factory tail lights. Anyways, I've had them on my local Craigslist atleast 10 times over the past year from $150 downward. Last time I had them on for $80. I decided to get interest in the most recent attempt at selling them by putting "MAKE AN OFFER! OPEN TO OFFERS!!!!" So here's my ad first....

I'm selling a pair of Matrix 1999-2004 Ford Mustang carbon fiber tail lights. They are in great condition. Just the tail lights. no bulbs or etc. Your stock ones fit them perfectly! MAKE AN OFFER! OPEN TO OFFERS!!!! New pairs selling for $300 PLUS shipping!!!

http://www.andysautosport.com/ford/1999_2004_mustang/lights/tail_lights/matrix/matr00032520.html




So then I get Mr. Shmuck of the Year sending me an email saying this....

Don't know what your smoking or how you let yourself get ripped off there my friend but I can get the same set brand new for $129....and shipping is free within the continental US...
http://www.mrbodykit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_40_149&products_id=554



Just as I was making this thread I noticed he also made a reply ad on Craigslist saying.....

Um...yeah...ok...$300? Go here and get yourself the same pair for $129 and shipping is free within the Continental US....
$129 @ http://www.mrbodykit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_40_149&products_id=554



Some people just have too much time on their hands....never once did I say I actually want $300 for the stupid things. My kicker is he brags about how he can get free shipping within the Contiental US.....last time I checked Canada wasn't apart of the US.....   I really am trying to figure out my reply to this tool.....any ideas?

[Kern Dog]

Craigslist is free..... and worth it.
The days of classified ads in the newspaper are not over yet. Small towns still have them for the guys that refuse to accept the internet.
I hear of flakes, low ballers, liars and idiots all the time. Morons that barely speak English,  turdburglars that cant show up when they promise.....It really wears you down, doesn't it?

[bill440rt]

I know what you can tell him.
Tell him he can have them for $80 including shipping, & get rid of them already.

I sold a couch once on Craigslist. The lady said she had a Rav4, and asked if it would fit in the back of her car. 

[resq302]

You have to just laugh at craigslist every now and then.  Hell, I had someone steal a pic of my charger and put my charger up for sale a couple towns over from where I live.  Started messing with the guy said, that it was my dream car and in the exact same color combo that I wanted and everything.  Was thinking about trying to meet up with him and bring the REAL car there along with the cops but then he never got back to me and the post was removed by Craigslist.

[Brock Samson]

 Well,.. I've had my R/Vs' Ad. pulled from craigslist for some unknown reason, Violated something or other it said.. it didn't violate anydamnthing..   While it was up I had some idiot ask where it was?... I guess the huge
"SAN FRANCISCO"
font in the title of the ad, was not plain enough... and lets not forget the lookie loos wanting simply "pics?" and, if your gonna send a one or two word response should one or both of them be spelled correctly?.. I got two identical responses from the same guy from two different e-mails "no". What's that mean "NUMBER"? welp i sent it promptly along the first time - copy and pasted the first response and sent it along to the second e-mail... guess what?.. I'm still waiting...  
When i was selling the RR i bet i sent out 30 large groups of large photos over a yr. or so, heard a second response from maybe three of those. The guy i sold it to turned out to be a flipper, and the parts i collected and were boxed up in the trunk to complete the car - carpet, floorpan, antenna, seat hinge cover and a couple little items, never made it to the third buyer, in Germany two Mos. later.   That really pissed me off.
So best keep everything saved somewhere and ready to repost or resend.

[Tilar]

Um...yeah...ok...$300? Go here and get yourself the same pair for $129 and shipping is free within the Continental US....
$129 @ http://www.mrbodykit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_40_149&products_id=554



Some people just have too much time on their hands....never once did I say I actually want $300 for the stupid things. My kicker is he brags about how he can get free shipping within the Contiental US.....last time I checked Canada wasn't apart of the US.....   I really am trying to figure out my reply to this tool.....any ideas?

Tell him that you checked his ad and that if he wants yours for $100 he can have them.

[bakerhillpins]

Ha! people who can't read are the least of your problems on craigslist. 

And it's not just the buyers.

[A383Wing]

I found a small electric air compressor on Craigslist...been talking with the seller since Wednesday...we set up a meet at the local Fred Meyer store at 9AM this morning (Saturday)

he never showed up....

I got better things to do than to sit there for 45 minutes waitin' for his ass

[Brock Lee]

I had some wheels on there. A guy says he will take them and we arrange a meet. When we get there he starts picking them apart "They are not quite what I thought. The size seems weird. Are you sure they are Mopar bolt pattern?" etc etc. I was very clear about everything and there is only one maker of these things. So he proceeds to try to beat my price down. In my ad I had clearly labeled "Firm", but he didn't care. I didn't need to get rid of them, so I said "No thanks. I am firm and my price is more than reasonable.". I started getting back in the car and he stops me "Hold on! I may still want them." So I gave him another shot and he continued to try to chisel me down. Now they were right, but not as nice as some others he is looking at for the same money. Finally I just got back into the car and he says "I only have $XXX. I really want them." I just drove off and he tried to email a few more times about them but I ignored them.

[last426]

It's what you bring to the situation.  Frankly, I have never had a bad experience on cl.  I have some rules -- I never take anything for free -- I always pay something or give a bottle of wine (this is without the seller knowing).  I always have buyers come to my house to look at the item -- I just leave it on the porch and if they like it, they leave the money under the mat.  Same with ebay.  I ship before they send the money (used to, before paypal).  But I am picky who gets free stuff.  Many respond to every free ad I post -- must be horders.  Like this one guy who took a bunch of plants, then batteries, now he wants gel packs.  Nope, not for him.  Bring to cl a trusting attitude and all will be well.  Check out my hemi at http://www.marlia.com  Kim

[Brock Samson]

oh Shirley, you must be joking... 

[bobs66440]

 

[last426]

oh Shirley, you must be joking... 

Wow Brock, you used to be so positive!  Funny thing, though, last thing I sold was a Cal car cover for a BMW z3.  The guy didn't want to do the deal cause he did not want to leave the 80 bucks under the mat.  I convinced him that between us, I was the one at risk.  Finally, a few days later, he came and did it.  Of course, I wrote him back with the email subject, "hey, where the hell's the money!"  He just didn't have a good sense of humor I guess.  Kim

[Brock Samson]

I think the proper edict for cl is to just leaf the $20 on the dresser. 

[RallyeMike]

On the deal I was working on a few months ago, the seller was listing his neighbors derelict car for him. After visiting the car twice, lots of phone calls and email, and yet to talk to the owner of the car, I found out the owner had no intention of selling it. The neighbor told me he was just tired of looking at it out his front window and was trying to make something happen. I think I wasted a good 10 hours on the deal.

Most recently, I found my 69 500 on Craiglist, so it's hard for me to complain. Craigslist is awesome, you have to work around a lot of idiots, but the effort pays off. My only advice is NEVER list anything for free. It attracts the dregs of society.

[gtx6970]

I rarely list an add on craigslist. But when I do I put in big bold letters ''''.Due to an overwhelming number of scammers harvesting email address's  NO EMAILS will be replied to .  If your serious call the number listed in the add..'''' So, I think it's farely. If you want more info ,,,,,,,,,, simple pick up a phone and call

Yet, you would be amazed at the emails I will still get ,saying  if the item is still avail I'll take it, please reply with a number to arrange payment. All this 30 seconds to 30 minutes after the add was listed. so I think  the chances are pretty  good the item is still avail
I guess they can't read
I just don't reply, when you do now they have your email address


I have bought a few items off craigslist though. and never had a problem

[A383Wing]

My only advice is NEVER list anything for free. It attracts the dregs of society.

man..ain't that the truth...

I had about 100 brand new NAPA fan belts in a box...tried to sell them for $2 each, they got to pick which belt or belts they wanted..ran ad for a month...not one taker...

I got tired of the box sitting in my garage...so I ran the whole lot for "FREE"

had 10 emails within 3 minutes of ad posting....

[440]

My only advice is NEVER list anything for free. It attracts the dregs of society.

man..ain't that the truth...

I had about 100 brand new NAPA fan belts in a box...tried to sell them for $2 each, they got to pick which belt or belts they wanted..ran ad for a month...not one taker...

I got tired of the box sitting in my garage...so I ran the whole lot for "FREE"

had 10 emails within 3 minutes of ad posting....

That's too funny.... I suppose without knowing which fan belts you had, but also what the hell are you going to do with a 100 fan belts if they don't fit anything they had anyways.... I'm quite surprised nobody even asked if you had a particular belt though. I guess they could brag to their friends - Look what I got for free today... Or trade them for drugs   

[68coronetGLwannabe]

I like the people that put *Make Offer* and don't put a phone # in the ad. I will email and politely ask what would you like to get for said item? They usually reply why don't you make me a offer. So I make an offer that's usually makes them upset and they send back a nasty email. So I email back saying well you must know what you want and that's why I asked in the first email. A lot of times if there is no price in ad I wont even bother playing the offer game. I don't mind people asking to make offer, if you don't like my offer reply with a counter offer at least its a starting point.

[A383Wing]

My only advice is NEVER list anything for free. It attracts the dregs of society.

man..ain't that the truth...

I had about 100 brand new NAPA fan belts in a box...tried to sell them for $2 each, they got to pick which belt or belts they wanted..ran ad for a month...not one taker...

I got tired of the box sitting in my garage...so I ran the whole lot for "FREE"

had 10 emails within 3 minutes of ad posting....

That's too funny.... I suppose without knowing which fan belts you had, but also what the hell are you going to do with a 100 fan belts if they don't fit anything they had anyways.... I'm quite surprised nobody even asked if you had a particular belt though. I guess they could brag to their friends - Look what I got for free today... Or trade them for drugs   

I had every size listed in the ad...all the belts were new in the package....

on another note...I got this today off Craigslist for $50

[stripedelete]

That don't suck...

[A383Wing]

one thing that pisses me off is if ya find something on Craigslist ya want...there is no contact info and if you reply to the ad via email, seller never gets back to ya

another is if ya find something, and you call, seller says it sold 6 days ago..."Delete the damn ad if item is sold!!"

[jaak]

Its not just here its everywhere.... I've had good and bad experiences on CL, eBay, local classifieds, Moparts, etc.

But here's one that happened recently, a local guy always has Mopar parts/cars listed on CL for good/fair prices. Well I was looking for a certain part, so I contacted him (he always leaves # and his name on ads), and asked him if he had the part I needed. He said he needed to check and see, got back with me a couple days later with a great price, but I had to pull it myself for that price.....Awesome deal! But everytime I contacted the cocksucker to come and get it, he always had an excuse, gotta go here, gotta do that, maybe tomorrow, blah, blah, blah. finally after 5-6 attempts, I gave up. Finally got the part from a member here, cheaper, and he delivered it to me, because he was in the area!

Jason

[oldcarnut]

I rarely list an add on craigslist. But when I do I put in big bold letters ''''.Due to an overwhelming number of scammers harvesting email address's  NO EMAILS will be replied to .  If your serious call the number listed in the add..'''' So, I think it's farely. If you want more info ,,,,,,,,,, simple pick up a phone and call

I like that so I just used something close to it in my CL add 

[440]

I bet that generator was stolen for $50, lol.

My 77 F150 4x4 was only $1000 from CL w/rebuilt engine/trans all new B/F All terrains and different bits and pieces. The owner had receipts for over 3K worth of extra stuff included with the truck. I bought it exactly as shown here...

[chargerboy69]

I normally do not have problems with the people, I have had my problems with Craigslist themselves. Their "Ghosting" software has been giving me fits. For those unfamiliar with this practice, you type out your ad, you receive the conformation e-mail, and it will say your ad is published.  However, if you go to Craigslist to see if it is actually posted, it is not.  It is a way to keep out spammers, guess I am now on their list.  I wish their was another choice besides them.

[Brock Samson]

  i guess that's why i can't find my ad for the R/V!  can you guys see it?.. 

sfcraigslist r/vs "1978 Chinook r/v Mopar".  http://sfbay.craigslist.org/

[Richard Cranium]

While some deals can be had on Craigslist, generally I have found it to be full of bottom feeders.

[Rolling_Thunder]

I have actually never really had any bad experiences on CL -  I have scored some really good deals -   the best score to date was a Weiand Poly intake...    purchased for $60, media blasted and sold for $790 with a $20 Carter carb core.

[oldcarnut]

Didn't find it. Searched a few different ways.  When I listed my RT last night I had to get a phone call to the number listed under my account and then liston to a code number and go back to use it activate the add.  I guess they're trying somewhat to reduce the scam adds.  Despite the asking to call I still got a few emails right off asking if I still had it, question for an answer I already had in the add, and etc. I'm just waiting for the person that wants to send me a check with extra money so I can pay the shipper when he comes to pick it up  

[Brock Samson]

i tried to relist the ad and i got a notice saying it was like the advert. already posted..  i don't get it.. i can't find my ad. and it wont let me re-list another... BTW: I remade the Ad. specifically not to resemble the first... 

[oldcarnut]

Have you tried the free ebay classified adds?

[Old Moparz]

People are people regardless of whether it's a craigslist ad, ebay, a newspaper, this site, or whatever, you still get to deal with the whackoloons. I usually don't have any problems, like maybe 2 or 3 out of 100 ads brought out the knuckle draggers. The 4 most memorable people were all after the same car I had sold a long time ago, a rust free, 1976 Dart Sport, slant 6 & a stick shift, originally from Texas. I bought it for my wife as a replacement for her rotted, 1975 Duster.

When I originally bought the car from an older man in New Jersey, I was already living upstate in New York. He told me some kid had called him a half dozen times trying to come look at the car, but he just didn't like the kid's attitude & told him on the phone that he doesn't like him, won't sell the car to him, & not to keep calling him. The kid said he knew the car through his uncle or something when he lived in Texas, & that he'd pay the full asking price. The old guy still said no.

About two years later I decided to sell the car & put it in the Want Ad Press for $1200. I get several calls over a few days, & a total of 4 people actually came to see it.

First whackoloon: Calls early in the week & said he wants to see it but can only come between 3 & 5 PM. I said okay, my wife will be home to show you the car if I'm not there yet. I said it's blue with a white interior, buckets, console, & in the driveway. The guy comes, "looks it over" then tells my wife that I am out of my mind for saying that it's a rust free Texas car when he can see inside the trunk through the quarter panels. She said I'll be home soon if he wants to wait. He angrily said no, & splits. It turns out he was in my backyard looking at my wife's rotted Duster which is dark gray, black bench seat interior, automatic on the column, & not in the driveway.  

Second whackoloon: Calls mid week & asks a bunch of questions looking for details on the car. He "sounds" like he is serious, but tells me he is looking for an automatic & not a stick. I reminded him that the ad states stick. He said he still wanted to look at it & may consider converting it. I then told him that it will probably cost as much to convert it as it does to buy it. He still wanted to come see it, so I gave him directions. He shows up on time, but when he gets out of his car I cringed as I recognize him from the local cruise.  

He is the same strange guy that's about 6'-6" tall & walks around with a small white poodle on his shoulder as if it were a parrot. He stands around with his poodle-parrot listening to all the conversations, but never speaks to anyone or says hello. He looks over the car thoroughly, then tells me about how hard it will be for me to sell since it's stick, & then asks if I will take less than the $1200? I said it depends, what would you offer? He said the absolute best he can do is $900 for it since he will have to convert it to automatic. I said nope, go look for an automatic, & went inside the house.  

Third whackoloon:  Calls me Thursday around dinner time, asks if I still have the car, & wants directions. Said he can be there in less than an hour. He never asked anything else about the car, & never showed up.  

Fourth whackoloon: Calls Saturday morning & asks me if I had bought this car from an old guy in New Jersey. I said yes, then he gets really excited & tells me about how messed up the old guy is that I had bought it from & that he refused to let him buy the car. He proceeds to get directions from me & says he'll be up from New Jersey as soon as he can, which is about 90 minutes away. Before he gets off the phone he asked if the $1200 price was negotiable. I said yes, & then waited........& waited.........& waited.  

About 4 hours pass & I am sure that the fourth whackoloon will not show up either. Just then, a car pulls up & I am surprised to see he made it. He gets out, looks at the car, doesn't want to hear it run, doesn't want to drive it, & pulls out cash. I make him drive it up & down my road to check it out. He didn't say much other than "I'll take it." He pays the full $1200, which is confusing since he asked to negotiate on the phone. He bolts on a plate he brought with him, & drives off with his girlfriend behind him in her car.  

About 30 seconds later, another car pulls in my driveway. No, it's not a fifth whackoloon, it's whackoloon number four. Turns out that whackoloon number three, who called on Thursday & said he will be right over was the one who showed up on Saturday with cash & bought the car. The fourth whackoloon jumps out of his car & excitedly asks, "WAS THAT THE DART SPORT YOU HAD IN THE WANT AD PRESS THAT I JUST DROVE PAST?!?!  I said yes, who are you? & he said he just drove all the way up from New Jersey to get that car & this is the 2nd time he missed out on it.  

A week later the second whackoloon, the poodle-parrot guy calls & leaves a message saying that if I still have the Dart Sport for sale, he can give me $600 for it.  

[Brock Samson]

 Man you live an interesting life...  Is a whackaloon related perchance to a Maroon?.. 
and, How is it they git directed to this site?.. 

[Old Moparz]

Man you live an interesting life...  Is a whackaloon related perchance to a Maroon?.. 
and, How is it they git directed to this site?.. 

It isn't that interesting, there are days, sometimes weeks, where I can write all the exciting things that happen on a matchbook cover, or in this modern age, do it in 160 characters or less. 

There are whackos, whack-jobs, loonies, people who are loony-tunes. I'm thinking if I just combine the word I won't leave anyone out.

They get here because Troy keeps giving them free stickers.